Method and system for virtual fitness training and tracking service

ABSTRACT

A machine implemented method and system, including: transmitting one or more credentials of a user account from a user device to an exercise management system (EMS) having a processor and one or more sensors where the EMS is disposed on an exercise equipment disposed in a selected at least one fitness center and the exercise equipment is part of a selected at least one exercise plan; transmitting the one or more credentials of the user account from the EMS to a cloud server having a processor; transmitting the selected at least one exercise plan for the new user account from the cloud server to the EMS; transmitting an exercise equipment information from the EMS; forming a user exercise data by the EMS for the exercise equipment based on data received from the one or more sensors and transmitting an exercise feedback from the EMS.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a U.S. National Phase Patent Application under 35U.S.C. 071 of International Application Number PCT/US2016/019199, filedFeb. 23, 2016, which claims the priority benefit of U.S. ProvisionalPatent Application Ser. No. 62/119,725, filed Feb. 23, 2015, both ofwhich are hereby incorporated herein by reference in their entirety forall purposes.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates to the Internet of Things (IoT), and moreparticularly to providing virtual training and tracking services forhealth and fitness.

BACKGROUND

A user selected fitness training program typically involves use ofcardio machines, weight machines, free weights, etc. The user has toremember, or write down, which machine to use, the order in which theyare to be used, and track how much weight they are lifting, the numberof sets, repetitions, etc.

SUMMARY

An exemplary machine implemented method may include: transmitting one ormore credentials of a user account from a user device to an exercisemanagement system (EMS) having a processor and one or more sensors,where the EMS may be disposed on an exercise equipment disposed in aselected at least one fitness center, where the exercise equipment maybe part of a selected at least one exercise plan; transmitting the oneor more credentials of the user account from the EMS to a cloud serverhaving a processor; transmitting the selected at least one exercise planfor the new user account from the cloud server to the EMS; transmittingan exercise equipment information based on the exercise equipment andthe selected at least one exercise plan from the EMS; forming a userexercise data by the EMS for the exercise equipment based on datareceived from the one or more sensors; and transmitting an exercisefeedback from the EMS based on a comparison of the formed user exercisedata and the selected at least one exercise plan.

Additional method embodiments may include, determining a differencebetween the formed user exercise data and the selected at least oneexercise plan at the cloud server; if the difference between the formeduser exercise data and the selected at least one exercise plan isminimal: maintaining the selected at least one exercise plan at thecloud server; if the difference between the formed user exercise dataand the selected at least one exercise plan shows a greater userperformance: modifying the selected at least one exercise plan to anincreased difficulty at the cloud server; if the difference between theformed user exercise data and the selected at least one exercise planshows a lower user performance: modifying the selected at least oneexercise plan to a decreased difficulty at the cloud server; and if thedifference between the formed user exercise data and the selected atleast one exercise plan shows an exercise equipment not in the selectedat least one exercise plan: modifying the selected at least one exerciseplan to add the exercise equipment to the selected at least one exerciseplan at the cloud server. In additional method embodiments, the exerciseequipment information may include one or more of: exercise equipmentsettings, an exercise technique for the exercise equipment, a weight tobe lifted, a duration, a number of repetitions, and a number of sets. Inadditional method embodiments, the user device may include one or moreof: a smart phone having a processor, a near field communication (NFC)tag, and a radio-frequency identification (RFID) tag. Additional methodembodiments may include, transmitting the formed new user exercise datafor the exercise equipment from the EMS to the cloud server; andgenerating a new record in a new user exercise summary database at thecloud server, where the new user exercise summary includes the formednew user exercise data.

Additional method embodiments may include, transmitting the formed newuser exercise data for the exercise equipment from the EMS to the userdevice. Additional method embodiments may include, prior to transmittingone or more credentials of the user account: transmitting a user accountrequest from the user device having a processor to the cloud server;generating at the cloud server the user account containing informationtransmitted by the user device; transmitting a list of fitness centersfrom the cloud server to the user device; transmitting a selection of atleast one of the list of fitness centers from the user device to thecloud server; transmitting a list of exercise plans based on theselected at least one of the list of fitness centers from the cloudserver to the user device; and transmitting a selection of at least oneexercise plan of the list of exercise plans from the user device to thecloud server. In additional method embodiments, the one or more sensorsmay include one or more of: an accelerometer, a gyroscope, a weightmeter, a tension meter, a pulse meter, and a proximity sensor. Inadditional method embodiments, the formed user exercise data may includeone or more of: a weight used, a number of sets, a number ofrepetitions, a lifting speed, a range, an energy, a maximum power, and atotal calories spent.

Another exemplary machine implemented method may include: enabling by atrainer device having a processor, a recording mode for an exercisemanagement system (EMS) having a processor and one or more sensors,where the EMS may be disposed on an exercise equipment disposed in afitness center; forming by the EMS, one or more exercise details basedon data from the one or more sensors; transmitting by the EMS, theformed data to a cloud server having a processor; forming by the cloudserver, a training plan for a trainer that includes the formed data.

In additional method embodiments, the training plan may include one ormore of: a weight of an exercise for the fitness equipment, a number ofsets for the exercise for the fitness equipment, a number of repetitionsfor the exercise for the fitness equipment, a lifting speed for theexercise for the fitness equipment, and a range for the exercise for thefitness equipment. Additional method embodiments may include, prior toenabling the recording mode: transmitting a trainer account request froma trainer device to the cloud server; generating at the cloud server, atrainer account containing information transmitted by the trainerdevice. In additional method embodiments, the one or more sensors mayinclude one or more of: an accelerometer, a gyroscope, a weight meter, atension meter, a pulse meter, and a proximity sensor.

An exemplary system embodiment may include: an Exercise ManagementSystem (EMS) including: one or more sensors; and a processor havingmemory, the processor configured to: pair a user device to the EMS;receive one or more credentials of a user account from the user device;transmit the one or more credentials of the user account to a cloudserver; receive an exercise plan for the user account from the cloudserver; form a user exercise data for an exercise equipment based ondata received from the one or more sensors; and transmit an exercisefeedback based on a comparison of the formed user exercise data and thereceived exercise plan.

In additional system embodiments, where the formed user exercise datacomprises one or more of: a weight used, a number of sets, a number ofrepetitions, a lifting speed, a range, an energy, a maximum power, and atotal calories spent. In additional system embodiments, the EMSprocessor may be further configured to: transmit the formed userexercise data for the exercise equipment to the cloud server; and unpairthe user device from the EMS. In additional system embodiments, the oneor more sensors may further include: a tension meter of the one or moresensors disposed on a cable of the exercise equipment, where the tensionmeter measures a weight lifted; and one or more motion sensors of theone or more sensors disposed on the cable of the exercise equipment,where the one or more motion sensors measure a movement of the weightlifted. In additional system embodiments, the one or more motion sensorsinclude an accelerometer and a gyroscope. In additional systemembodiments, the weight sensor includes one or more of: a load cell typeweight sensor and a tension meter. In additional system embodiments, theweight pin further includes one or more pin relief features, where theone or more pin relief features concentrates the weight and supportforces on one or more predefined and fixed areas of the weight pin.

In additional system embodiments, the one or more sensors furtherinclude: a weight sensor of the one or more sensors disposed in a weightpin of the exercise equipment, where the weight sensor measures a weightlifted; and one or more motion sensors of the one or more sensorsmounted on the weight pin, where the one or more motion sensors measurea movement of the weight lifted, and where the weight pin compensatesfor an orientation of the weight pin with respect to ground. Inadditional system embodiments, the one or more motion sensors include anaccelerometer and a gyroscope. In additional system embodiments, theweight sensor includes one or more of: a load cell type weight sensorand a tension meter. In additional system embodiments, the weight pinfurther includes one or more pin relief features, where the one or morepin relief features concentrates the weight and support forces on one ormore predefined and fixed areas of the weight pin.

In additional system embodiments, the one or more sensors furtherinclude: a weight sensor of the one or more sensors disposed in a weightpin of the exercise equipment, where the weight sensor measures a weightlifted; and a rotation sensor of the one or more sensors disposed aboutthe weight pin, where the rotation sensor measures the movement of acable of the exercise equipment about a rotatable pulley. In additionalsystem embodiments, the weight sensor includes one or more of: a loadcell type weight sensor and a tension meter. In additional systemembodiments, the weight pin further comprises one or more pin relieffeatures, where the one or more pin relief features concentrates theweight and support forces on one or more predefined and fixed areas ofthe weight pin.

In additional system embodiments, the one or more sensors furtherinclude: a weight sensor of the one or more sensors disposed in onsupport of the exercise equipment, where the weight sensor measures aweight lifted; and one or more motion sensors of the one or more sensorsmounted on a barbell, where the one or more motion sensors measure amovement of the weight lifted; where the weight sensor communicates withthe one or more motion sensors. In additional system embodiments, theone or more motion sensors include an accelerometer and a gyroscope. Inadditional system embodiments, the weight sensor includes one or moreof: a load cell type weight sensor and a tension meter. In additionalsystem embodiments, the EMS processor is further configured to:determine a type of exercise performed based on a range of motionrecorded by the one or more sensors.

In additional system embodiments, the one or more sensors furtherinclude: a weight sensor of the one or more sensors disposed in abarbell of the exercise equipment, where the weight sensor measures aweight lifted; and one or more motion sensors of the one or more sensorsmounted on a sleeve of the barbell, where the one or more motion sensorsmeasure a movement of the weight lifted, and where the weight sensorcompensates for an orientation of the barbell with respect to ground. Inadditional system embodiments, the one or more motion sensors include anaccelerometer and a gyroscope. In additional system embodiments, theweight sensor includes one or more of: a load cell type weight sensorand a tension meter.

An exemplary machine implemented method may include: receivingacceleration data from one or more sensors at an exercise managementsystem (EMS) having a processor; applying at the EMS, a first high passfilter to the received acceleration data; determining at the EMS, avelocity of the filtered acceleration data by integration; applying atthe EMS, a velocity drift compensation to the filtered accelerationdata; applying at the EMS, a second high pass filter; determining at theEMS, a displacement of the filtered acceleration data; applying at theEMS, a drift compensation to the filtered acceleration data; applying atthe EMS, a zero band point algorithm to the displacement filteredacceleration data; determining at the EMS, one or more of: a range, atempo, a work done, a power, and a calories consumed based on theapplied zero band point algorithm.

A service that provides virtual fitness training and tracking servicesto a user. These services are available to user via a website and/or anapplication on a personal device like a smart phone or a wearable.

This brief summary has been provided so that the nature of thisdisclosure may be understood quickly. A more complete understanding ofthe disclosure can be obtained by reference to the following detaileddescription of the various aspects thereof in connection with theattached drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The foregoing features and other features will now be described withreference to the drawings of various aspects. In the drawings, the samecomponents have the same reference numerals. The illustrated aspects areintended to illustrate, but not to limit the present disclosure. Thedrawings include the following Figures:

FIG. 1 shows an exemplary system and its various components disclosedherein;

FIG. 1A shows an example of the processing on the cloud server accordingto one embodiment;

FIG. 1B shows an example of the processing done on the ExerciseManagement System according to one embodiment;

FIG. 2A shows an example of the databases on the Cloud server accordingto one embodiment;

FIG. 2B shows an example of one embodiment of the Client device referredto as Active client device;

FIG. 2C shows an example of another embodiment of the Client devicereferred to as passive client device;

FIG. 2D shows an example of one embodiment of an Exercise ManagementSystem (EMS) referred to as Active Sensor Link;

FIG. 2E shows an example of another embodiment of the EMS referred to asPassive Link;

FIG. 2F shows an example of one embodiment of the fitness centermanagement systems (FCMS) referred to as Fully featured FCMS;

FIG. 2G shows an example of another embodiment of the FCMS referred toas Simple FCMS;

FIG. 2H shows an example of databases on a Fully featured FCMS accordingto one embodiment;

FIG. 3A shows a flowchart of the initial setup for the system at aFitness center according to one embodiment;

FIG. 3B shows a flowchart of initial Trainer setup and Training plancreation for the system according to one embodiment;

FIG. 3B-i shows a flowchart of training plan assignment to a useraccording to one embodiment;

FIG. 3B-ii shows a flowchart of creation of dynamic and optimal trainingplans according to one embodiment;

FIG. 3C shows a flowchart of the initial system setup for a Useraccording to one embodiment;

FIG. 3D shows a flowchart how a User may use the system at a fitnesscenter according to one embodiment;

FIG. 3E shows a flowchart of a Client Device pairing with EMS;

FIG. 4A shows a schematic of Type-A Active Sensor Link;

FIG. 4B shows a schematic of Type-B Active Sensor Link;

FIG. 4B-i shows a top cross-sectional view of a Weight Sensor Pin;

FIG. 4B-ii shows a cross-sectional view of forces on a Weight SensorPin;

FIG. 4B-iii shows a cross-sectional view of forces under a typicalloading scenario for the Weight Sensor Pin;

FIG. 4C shows a schematic of Type-C Active Sensor Link;

FIG. 4D shows a schematic of Type-D Active Sensor Link;

FIG. 4E shows a schematic of Type-E Active Sensor Link;

FIG. 4F-i shows a schematic of Active Sensor Link Type F showing oneside of a barbell having an electronics box loaded on one end;

FIG. 4F-ii shows a schematic of Active Sensor Link Type F showing across-sectional view of a barbell having a strain gauge;

FIG. 5A shows the raw and filtered acceleration plot;

FIG. 5B shows the velocity and compensated velocity plots;

FIG. 5C shows zero crossing for the compensated velocity plot;

FIG. 5D shows a flowchart to find the zero band points;

FIG. 5E shows a compensated displacement plot;

FIG. 5F shows a movement graph created by a trainer;

FIG. 5G shows an acceleration plot for a dumbbell; and

FIG. 5H shows an angular momentum plot for a dumbbell.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The following description is made for the purpose of illustrating thegeneral principles of the embodiments disclosed herein and is not meantto limit the concepts disclosed herein. Further, particular featuresdescribed herein can be used in combination with other describedfeatures in each of the various possible combinations and permutations.Unless otherwise specifically defined herein, all terms are to be giventheir broadest possible interpretation including meanings implied fromthe description as well as meanings understood by those skilled in theart and/or as defined in dictionaries, treatises, etc.

Health and fitness are becoming increasingly important to people,however, selecting and tracking a fitness program may be difficultand/or impractical for a user to accomplish in a fitness environment.Embodiments of a method and system disclosed herein can be used toimprove personal fitness. One embodiment disclosed herein includes avirtual trainer, an accurate tracker, and social encouragement for auser selected fitness training program. This improves the userexperience of exercise machines (e.g., treadmills, cross trainer, weightmachines and free weights) and other exercises.

One embodiment comprises system and method disclosed herein including anexercise management system allowing users to create their credentials,select the fitness center location and client device. A user may do thisinitial setup at their home or at the fitness center with help from atrainer. After this initial setup, the user may be notified of theirexercise session at the fitness center or at home and the user followsthe steps as outlined. The user may share this exercise information withtheir friends or on a social network to increase accountability, receiveencouragement, and/or encourage others. This information from theexercise management system is also shared with a cloud server and theuser can look at their exercise history at a web site or on an activeclient device application. The user may also share this information witha trainer whose training plan they have selected for further guidanceand advice.

The system and method disclosed herein allows a user to register for thesystem, select a fitness center equipped with the system, and select atraining plan based on the selected fitness center. The user may then goto the fitness center and sync their user device with an ExerciseManagement System (EMS) attached to an exercise equipment. The EMS mayretrieve the user's selected training plan, guide the user through theexercise on the exercise equipment, and track one or more aspects of theworkout via one or more sensors connected to the EMS. The EMS may thenupdate a cloud server with the results of the workout according to theselected training plan, and these results may be viewed on the userdevice. Accordingly, the system allows a user to track their workouts ina fitness setting where accurate and consistent tracking may beotherwise impossible and/or impractical. This allows a user using theuser device to keep track of their fitness via the selected trainingplan. The user may also encourage and/or be encouraged by one or morefriends via a social networking link to the users workouts. Thedisclosed system provides accuracy, consistency, and accountability tothe user of the user device to help the user achieve his or her fitnessgoals.

For clarity, certain terminology used in the description herein isdetailed below by way of example.

Component or Module: The terms “component,” “module” and the like asused herein are intended to refer to computer-related entities, such assoftware-executing on processors, hardware, firmware, and/orcombinations thereof. For example, a component may be, but is notlimited to being, a process running on a processor, a processor, anobject, an executable, a thread of execution, a program, and/or acomputer.

By way of illustration, both an application running on a server and theserver can be a component. One or more components may reside within aprocess and/or thread of execution, and a component may be localized onone computer and/or distributed between two or more computers. Also,these components can execute from various computer readable media havingvarious data structures stored thereon. The components may communicatevia local and/or remote processes such as in accordance with a signalhaving one or more data packets (e.g., data from one componentinteracting with another component in a local system, distributedsystem, and/or across a network such as the Internet with other systemsvia the signal).

Computer executable components can be stored, for example, onnon-transitory computer readable media including, but not limited to, anASIC (application specific integrated circuit), CD (compact disc), DVD(digital video disk), ROM (read only memory), floppy disk, hard disk,EEPROM (electrically erasable programmable read only memory), memorystick or any other storage device, in accordance with the embodimentsdiscloses herein.

Cloud Computing: The system and techniques described above areapplicable and useful in a cloud computing environment. Cloud computingmeans computing capability that provides an abstraction between thecomputing resource and its underlying technical architecture (e.g.,servers, storage, networks), enabling convenient, on-demand networkaccess to a shared pool of configurable computing resources that can berapidly provisioned and released with minimal management effort orservice provider interaction. The term “cloud” is intended to refer toany network (including the Internet) for providing computers as a sharedresource.

Typical cloud computing providers deliver common business applicationsonline which are accessed from another web service or software like aweb browser, while the software and data are stored remotely on servers.The cloud computing architecture uses a layered approach for providingapplication services. A first layer is an application layer that isexecuted at client computers. In this example, the application allows aclient to access storage via a cloud.

After the application layer, is a cloud platform and cloudinfrastructure, followed by a “server” layer that includes hardware andcomputer software designed for cloud specific services. The replicationserver and the storage systems described above can be a part of theserver layer for providing storage services. Details regarding theselayers are not germane to the inventive aspects.

Internet: The Internet connects millions of computers worldwide throughwell-known protocols, for example, Transmission Control Protocol(TCP)/Internet Protocol (IP), into a vast network. Information on theInternet is stored worldwide as computer files, mostly written in theHypertext Mark Up Language (“HTML”). Other markup languages (e.g.,Extensible Markup Language (“XML”), JSON (JavaScript Object Notation))as published by W3C and ECMA Consortium may also be used. The collectionof all such publicly available computer files is known as the World WideWeb (“WWW”). The WWW is a multimedia-enabled hypertext system used fornavigating the Internet and is made up of many web pages with images andtext and video files, which can be displayed on a computer monitor. Eachweb page can have connections to other pages, which may be located onany computer connected to the Internet.

Web Browser: A typical Internet user uses a client program called a “WebBrowser” to connect to the Internet. A user can connect to the Internetvia a proprietary network. The web browser may run on any computerconnected to the Internet. Currently, various browsers are available ofwhich two prominent browsers are Google Chrome and Microsoft InternetExplorer (without derogation of any trademark rights). The Web Browserreceives and sends requests to a web server and acquires informationfrom the WWW. A web server is a program that, upon receipt of a request,sends the requested data to the requesting user. A standard namingconvention known as Uniform Resource Locator (“URL”) has been adopted torepresent hypermedia links and links to network services. Most files orservices can be represented with a URL.

URLs enable Web Browsers to go directly to any file held on any WWWserver. Information from the WWW is accessed using well-known protocols,including the Hypertext Transport Protocol (“HTTP”), the Wide AreaInformation Service (“WAIS”) and the File Transport Protocol (“FTP”),over TCP/IP protocol. The transfer format for standard WWW pages isHypertext Transfer Protocol (HTTP).

Sensor: comprises a device that detects events or changes in quantitiesand provides a corresponding output, generally as an electrical oroptical signal; for example, a thermocouple converts temperature to anoutput voltage. Technological progress allows more and more sensors tobe manufactured on a microscopic scale as using MEMS technology.

Sensor communication protocols: Sensors can communicate with processorsusing standard protocols such as I2C (Inter-Integrated Circuit), SPI(Serial Peripheral Interface) or UART (Universal asynchronousreceiver/transmitter). The processor can send commands for setting upand measuring environmental inputs like temperature, acceleration, cabletension, etc. and the sensor responds with the results of thesemeasurements.

Network Bridge: comprises network equipment and software needed tocreate an aggregate network from either two or more communicationnetworks, or two or more network segments. A network bridge may connecta WAN to a LAN or PAN which may be wired or wireless.

Communication standards: Devices may be wired or wireless and usestandards based communication protocols like Ethernet Wi-Fi, Bluetooth,Bluetooth low energy (BLE), NFC, RFID, ZigBee etc. These Wide AreaNetwork (WAN), Local Area Network (LAN) and Personal Area Network (PAN)standards are developed by various standards bodies like IEEE, BluetoothSpecial Interest Group, NFC Forum etc.

Load cell or load pin: comprises a transducer that is used to create anelectrical signal whose magnitude is directly proportional to the forcebeing measured. The various types of load cells include strain gauge,capacitive, and piezoelectric load cells.

Exercise machine: comprises any machine used for physical exercise.These range from simple free weights like dumbbells and barbells toweight machines that have weights hanging from a cable and Cardioworkout machines like Treadmills, Elliptical, and Cross trainers.

Exercise: comprises any activity requiring physical effort, carried outspecially to sustain or improve health and fitness. They includeactivities like Leg press, Curl, Bench press, Squat, Extensions, andcardio activities that need Exercise equipment. They may also includephysical activities like floor exercises, bars, and benches.

Referring now to the drawings, example embodiments are described below.FIG. 1 shows an example implementation of a system 100, according to oneembodiment. The system 100 comprises a cloud server 102, a plurality ofclient devices 104 a, . . . , 104 n, a plurality of exercise managementsystems (EMS) 106 a, . . . , 106 n and a plurality of fitness centermanagement systems (FCMS) 110 a, . . . , 110 n.

The cloud server 102 may be located in a data center and it may includeone or more processors, memory (e.g., RAM, disk) input and outputdevices like keyboard and monitor, and network connection to the WANconnection 112. The cloud server 102 may connect to one or more of theFCMS 110 a, . . . , 110 n and client devices 104 a, . . . , 104 n usingthe WAN connection 112.

The client devices 104 a, . . . , 104 n may comprise fully featuredcomputers with processors, memory, storage, networking, and sensors.Smart phones and wearable devices may have several components used in aclient device and the user may carry the client device to a fitnesscenter. The client device may connect with one or more of the EMS 106 a,. . . , 106 n using the PAN connection 114 as described in thecommunication standards above.

An EMS may comprise computers with processors, memory, storage,networking, and sensors. In a fitness center, the EMS may be mounted onexercise machines as described in the Exercise Machine section above. AnEMS may have a plurality of sensors 108 a, . . . , 108 n. Examplesensors 108 a, . . . , 108 n are described in the sensor and sensorcommunication above. The EMS 106 a, . . . , 106 n may be connected tothe FCMS 110 a, . . . , 110 n using the LAN connection 116 as describedin the communication standards above.

Each FCMS may be installed in a fitness center location, and maycomprise a fully featured computer or server like the cloud server 102.

FIG. 1A shows an exemplary embodiment of the processing 800 done on thecloud server 102 (e.g., FIG. 1) This processing is for benefit of threeaudiences: a club management module 802, a user module 804 and a leaderboards module 806. All of this cloud server processing is done on theuser exercise database 194 that contains the name of the user, theexercise done, the time of the exercise, the weight lifted, the numberof sets, the repetitions, the tempo, the work done, the maximum power,the calories burned, etc. Questions that are of interest to specificaudiences may be asked by the system administrator as database queriesand the answers of these questions may be shared with the appropriateaudience.

In one embodiment, a fitness club manager, via the club managementmodule 802, may be interested in knowing answers to questions regardingexercise machine maintenance (step 810) (e.g., ‘Which machines needpreventive maintenance?’); time slot data (step 812) (e.g., ‘When domost users visit the fitness center?’), or exercise equipment use data(step 814) (e.g., ‘Which fitness equipment is most popular withusers?’). The responses to these queries by the club management module802 may include, respectively, an exercise machine maintenance schedule(step 830) (e.g., ‘Weight machine leg press has been used for 2,150hours and needs preventative maintenance’); time slot results (step 832)(e.g., ‘Tuesday between 5:00 and 8:00 PM is the most popular time’);exercise equipment results (step 834) (e.g., ‘Bench press is the mostpopular exercise machine with men and leg adductor with women’). Theseresponses may be shared with the fitness club management. These types ofquestions may be asked as needed or in response to some event whichmight be end of each week or month.

In one embodiment, a user, via the user module 804, may be interested inknowing user exercise data (step 816) (e.g., ‘Did I burn more caloriesthis month?’); user goal data (step 818) (e.g., ‘How close I am toachieving my goal?’); and/or user training plan data (step 820) (e.g.,‘Am I following my training plan?’) The user, via the user module 804,may get respective responses such as user exercise results (step 836)(e.g., ‘This week you burned 2457 kcal, compared to last week when youburned 1975 kcal. Excellent !!’); user goal results (step 838) (e.g.,‘You are at 85% or your goal, it is expected that you will reach yourgoal in 2 weeks’); and/or user training plan results (step 840) (e.g.,‘Yes you are following your training plan but drop weights 0.3 secslower’).

In one embodiment, tidbits might be of interest to users and accessed ona leader board, via the leader board module 806. The information ofinterest might be visitor data (step 822) (e.g., ‘Who visits the clubmost often’); goal data (step 824) (e.g., ‘Which trainer helped mostclients achieve their goal?’); and/or use data (step 826) (e.g., ‘Wholifted the most weight today?’). The responses to these questions may berespectively presented via the leader board module 806 as visitorresults (step 842) (e.g., ‘Dan and Jessica have been coming to the club6 days a week for over two months. Great job!!’); goal results (step844) (e.g., ‘Travis helped 85% of his clients reach their goal’); and/oruse results (step 846) (e.g., ‘Rob lifted a total of 15,750 lbs. today,way to go !!’).

FIG. 1B shows an exemplary embodiment 900 of the processing done on theexercise management system (106 a, . . . , 106 n) (e.g., FIG. 1). Thereare two types of processing done, one is completed in a real timeprocessing module 902 and the other may take longer to compute as thedata may be filtered to remove drift in a non-real time processingmodule 910.

In one embodiment, the acceleration values are read from the sensors(step 904) and a zero band point algorithm is applied to theacceleration data (step 906) to compute the workout information such asnumber of sets, repetitions, tempo, etc. (step 908) and this informationis stored in the user exercise database 194.

In one embodiment, the non-real time processing module 910 may computeother information of interest. First, a high pass filter (step 912) withappropriate coefficients to eliminate a DC component of the waveform isapplied to the raw acceleration data. The velocity is then calculated byintegrating the filtered acceleration values (step 914). If needed, avelocity drift compensation algorithm (step 916) is applied. Then, ahigh pass filter (step 918) may once again be applied and displacementis computed by integrating the velocity (step 920) and driftcompensation (step 922) is applied if needed. On the displacement data,the zero band point algorithm (step 924) is applied to compute range,tempo, work done, power, and/or calories consumed (step 926) and theseresults are stored in the user exercise database 194.

FIG. 2A shows an exemplary embodiment of a database 118 in the cloudserver 102 (e.g., FIG. 1). A user database 120 stores informationincluding user login credentials 122, name, address 124 and otherfitness related demographic 126 and user anatomical information. Afitness center 128 may comprise a public, private, or home gym and atraining plan 130 used may comprise one created by a fitness trainer orone customized by the fitness center trainer. A friend list 132 maycomprise a contact list of persons who share similar objectives and towhom the user offers and/or receives encouragement. A Social Networklist 134 may include the user's credentials in well-known socialnetworks, which may be used for posting achievements. In one embodiment,a User may fill in the information needed for the user database 120using a web browser as described in the web browser section on acomputer or smart phone connected to the Internet as described in theInternet section above.

An exercise database 140 may include an exercise name 142 of an exerciseas described in the exercise section above, a list of benefits 144 ofperforming the exercise and its recommended use 146. In one embodiment,this information may be filled by the company managing the system usingthe web browser and Internet above.

A fitness center database 150 has a name 152 and an address 154 of thefitness center and a list of exercise machines 156 that are in thefitness center. The database 150 may also store login credentials 151.The list of exercise machines 156 may include treadmills, crosstrainers, weight machines, free weights, and other exercise equipmentlike exercise room, sauna, etc. that have an EMS installed on them. Thefitness center database 150 may also include a list of trainers 158available at the fitness center. In one embodiment, this information maybe filled by the fitness center using the web browser and Internet.

An exercise machine database 160 includes a list of all exercisemachines with EMS installed on them. The exercise machine database 160includes an exercise machine name 162, a Fitness center it is located in164, a type of Exercise 166 it is used for and any correspondingproperties 168 like a number of different weights, seat height, leglength etc. available on the exercise machine 160. In one embodiment,this information may be filled by the company managing the system usingthe web browser and Internet.

A trainer database 170 has a list of trainer names 172 who areparticipating in the system. The database 170 may also store logincredentials 171. The trainers may be well-known trainers or may betrainers at the local fitness center. They may also provide links to alist of their training material 174. In one embodiment, this informationmay be filled by the trainers using the web browser and Internet.

A training plan database 180 has training plans developed by the trainer170 that a user in the user database 120 may follow. The database 180has a training plan name 182, a name of the trainer 184 who developedit, the list of exercises 186 that are part of the training plan, theorder 188 in which the exercises should be performed and relevantdetails like number of sets, repetitions, lifting speed (or tempo), etc.190 that should be performed. The training plan may be assigned by atrainer to a user and it may only be available to the user while theyare paying for trainer services. This training plan may vary ondifferent days of the week or month to allow for training differentparts of the body with different intensities. To create the trainingplan in the training plan database 180, a trainer in the trainerdatabase 170 may use the system to track and record themselves whilethey exercise. They can create very detailed movement graphs 192 of thelifted weights. In one embodiment, this information may be filled by thetrainers using the web browser and Internet.

A user exercise summary database 194 has the details of the exercisesperformed by the users in the user database 120. The information mayinclude a user name 195, an exercise 196 that they have done, and a date197 and a time when they performed the exercise. The database 194 mayalso have an exercise summary 198 that has information such as a weightlifted, a number of sets and repetitions, a lifting speed, etc. alongwith an amount of energy, maximum power, or calories spent 199.

FIG. 2B shows one embodiment of the client device referred to as theactive client device 104A in more detail. Many of its components arefound in today's feature phones or smart phones. Increasingly, some ofthese components are also found on wearables and smart watches. In oneembodiment, the active client device 104A may be a smart phone, featurephone, and/or a wearable device. A computer 200 having a communicationconnection 201 (e.g., a data/control bus) has a processor 202, memory204, and may have an input 206 (e.g., a touch display or keyboard), adisplay 208, an audio output 210, and/or a camera 212. A WAN module 220having a communication connection 221 (e.g., a data/control bus) forestablishing and/or joining a WAN may have one or more of a LTE/4G 222,a 3G 224, or other wireless WAN connectivity. This component may be usedto connect with the Cloud server 102 (e.g., FIG. 1). A PAN module 230having a communication connection 231 (e.g., a data/control bus) forestablishing and/or joining a PAN may have one or more of an NFC 232, anRFID 234, a BLE 236, or other PAN connectivity including Wi-Fi. The PAN230 component may be used to connect with a PAN component 310 (e.g.,FIG. 2D) of the EMS 106 a, . . . , 106 n (e.g., FIG. 1). A sensor 240having a communication connection 241 (e.g., a data/control bus) may beone or more of a proximity 242, a GPS 244, and a heartbeat 246 and theymay connect with the EMS to share and augment sensor data. Acommunication connection 203 (e.g., a data/control bus) may connect thecomputer 200, WAN 220, PAN 230, and/or sensor 240.

FIG. 2C shows another embodiment of the client device referred to as thepassive client device 104B. It may have a passive tag 250 that may beone of a NFC Tag 252, a RFID Tag 254, and/or other passive connectivity,and this may be used to connect with a PAN 310 (e.g., FIG. 2D) componentof the EMS 106 a, . . . , 106 n (e.g., FIG. 1). An example of thepassive client device 104B may be NFC or RFID tags.

FIG. 2D shows one embodiment of the EMS referred to as the active sensorlink 106A in more detail. A computer 260 having a communicationconnection 261 (e.g., a data/control bus) has a processor 262, a memory264, and may have an input device 266 (e.g., a touch or a D-pad), adisplay 268, and/or an audio output 270. There may be one or moresensors 280 having a communication connection 281 (e.g., a data/controlbus) for example, an accelerometer 282, a gyroscope 284, a weight and/ortension meter 286, a pulse meter 288, and/or a proximity 290. Thesesensors 280 connect to the computer 260 using sensor communicationprotocols as described in the sensor protocol section above. The activesensor link 106A may be mounted on fitness equipment like treadmills,cross trainers, weight machines, free weights (e.g., dumbbell, barbell)where the sensors 280 may be used to measure exercise information likeweight lifted, number of sets, number of repetitions, exercise duration,etc. A LAN module 300 having a communication connection 301 (e.g., adata/control bus) for establishing and/or joining a LAN might use one ormore of an Ethernet 302, a Wi-Fi 304 or a Bluetooth 306 technologies.The EMS 106 a, . . . , 106 n (e.g., FIG. 1) may be connected to the FCMS110 a, . . . , 110 n (e.g., FIG. 1) using the LAN 300 component. A PANmodule 310 having a communication connection 311 (e.g., a data/controlbus) for establishing and/or joining a PAN may use technologies like anNFC 312, an RFID 314, and/or a BLE 316. The client device 104 a, . . . ,104 n (e.g., FIG. 1) may connect to the EMS 106 a, . . . , 106 n usingthe PAN 310 component. The EMS may include onboard battery or otherpower source for providing electrical power to the components of the EMSmodule. A communication connection 263 (e.g., a data/control bus) mayconnect the computer 260, LAN 300, PAN 310, and/or sensor 280.

FIG. 2E shows another embodiment of the EMS referred to as passive link106B in more detail. The passive link 106B is similar to the activesensor link 106A (e.g., FIG. 2D) except that it does not have thesensors. A computer 320 having a communication connection 321 (e.g., adata/control bus) has a processor 322, a memory 324, and may have aninput device 326, a display 238, and/or an audio output 330. A LANmodule 340 having a communication connection 341 (e.g., a data/controlbus) for establishing and/or joining a LAN may use one or more of anEthernet 342, a Wi-Fi 344 or a Bluetooth 346 technologies. The EMS 106a, . . . , 106 n (e.g., FIG. 1) may be connected to the FCMS 110 a, . .. , 110 n (e.g., FIG. 1) using the LAN 340 component. A PAN module 350having a communication connection 351 (e.g., a data/control bus) forjoining and/or establishing a PAN may use technologies like an NFC 352,an RFID 354, and/or a BLE 356. The client device 104 a, . . . , 104 n(e.g., FIG. 1) may connect to the EMS 106 a, . . . , 106 n (e.g.,FIG. 1) using the PAN 350 component. The passive link 106B may bemounted on exercise equipment like weight benches, pull up bars, aerobicexercise rooms, etc. that do not need sensors and they may be used tomeasure exercise duration. Passive link 106B may also be mounted onexisting fitness equipment like treadmills and cross trainers whereexercise data may not be accessible. A communication connection 323(e.g., a data/control bus) may connect the computer 300, LAN 340, and/orPAN 350.

FIG. 2F shows one embodiment of the FCMS in more detail. A Fullyfeatured FCMS 110A may have a computer 360 having a communicationconnection 361 (e.g., a data/control bus) having a processor 362, memory364, and may have an input device 366, and/or display 368. A LAN module370 having a communication connection 371 (e.g., a data/control bus) forestablishing and/or joining a LAN may have one or more of an Ethernet372, a Wi-Fi 374, and/or a Bluetooth 376. A LAN 370 may be used toconnect with the client device 104 a, . . . , 104 n (e.g., FIG. 1). Asensor 380 having a communication connection 381 (e.g., a data/controlbus) may have one or more of a proximity 382 or a temperature 384sensors. The fully featured FCMS 110A may be connected to the cloudserver using the Internet backbone. A communication connection 363(e.g., a data/control bus) may connect the computer 360, LAN 370, and/orsensor 380.

FIG. 2G shows another embodiment of the FCMS in more detail. A simpleFCMS 110B may have functionality that may be found on Wi-Fi accesspoints. A LAN module 390 having a communication connection 391 (e.g., adata/control bus) for establishing and/or joining a LAN may have one ormore of an Ethernet 392, a Wi-Fi 394, or a Bluetooth 396. The LAN 370may be used to connect with the client device 104 a, . . . , 104 n(e.g., FIG. 1). The simple FCMS 110B may be connected to the cloudserver using the Internet backbone.

FIG. 2H shows databases 398 that may be present on the Fully featuredFCMS 110A (e.g., FIG. 2F). These databases may have all or parts of thecloud server databases 118 and may sync with the cloud server using theInternet on a regular basis. In one embodiment, it may have theinformation related to the particular fitness center where it isinstalled. It may also have a maintenance database 400 for exercisemachines in this fitness center. This database may have an exercisemachine name 402 and a current efficiency 404 of the machine, which maybe used as a proxy for machine maintenance level. It may also have anumber of hours the exercise machine has been used 406. It may also beused to monitor facility usage by keeping track of when exercisemachines are used most often 408. Exercise machine maintenance may bescheduled when an efficiency 404 drops below a certain threshold and/orthe number of hours the machine has been used 406 exceeds manufacturer'srecommendation.

FIG. 3A is an example of the initial setup for a Fitness center to usethe system 410. This is accomplished by adding the fitness centerinformation to the fitness center database 150 (e.g., FIG. 2A) in thecloud server 102 (e.g., FIG. 1). In one embodiment, the fitness centeraccesses a fitness center page on the system website and creates anaccount credentials including login, password, and fitness center nameand address (step 412).

For all the exercise machines on which the Fitness center desires tomount the EMS (step 414), a fitness center user creates a name for theExercise machine (step 416) and then links it to a unique EMS Identifier(step 418) of the EMS that they will mount on the exercise machine. Thefitness center user then links the exercise machine to the exercise orexercises that may be done on this machine (step 420). This process iscompleted (step 424) when all the exercise machines are added to afitness center database (step 422).

FIG. 3B is an example of a trainer creating a training plan to use thesystem 430 by adding their information to the trainer 170 and trainingplan 180 databases (e.g., FIG. 2A). In one embodiment, the traineraccesses a trainer page on a system website and creates their accountcredentials including login, password, and name, etc. (step 432), andprovides URLs to their training material and/or their website (step434).

To create the training plan in the training plan database 180, in oneembodiment, the trainer uses system equipped exercise machines and putsthem into recording mode (step 436). In this mode, the exercise machinesand/or sensors thereon record all the information in detail includingweights, number of sets, repetitions, etc., and speed, movement graphs,etc. in a format that can then be used for a training plan. The trainerthen selects the first exercise machine in the training plan and startstheir exercise while ensuring that all exercise details like sets andlifting speed etc. are correct (step 438). After they have completed theexercise, they move to a next exercise on the training plan (step 440).When all the exercises are completed, they are added to the trainingplan database (step 180).

In one embodiment, the trainer may manually create the training plan(step 446). They input the frequency, exercises, sets, repetitions andtempo in the trainer dashboard (step 447) and when all exercises areinputted (step 448) this information is added to the database (step180).

FIG. 3B-i is an example of how training plan may be assigned to a user.The trainer determines the needs of a user and selects one of theirtraining plan (step 872) from the training plan database 180 or maydecide to create a new one. The trainer may then assign this trainingplan (step 874) to the user and this training plan now appears in theuser dashboard for them to follow. Depending on the contract between theuser and the trainer, the trainer may set a date for the training planto expire (step 876) so that the user may not be able to use it afterthat date.

FIG. 3B-ii is an example of dynamic or optimal training plan creation880. A user follows the training plans as created by the trainer andstored in the training plan database 180. The details of the exercisescompleted by the user are stored in the user exercise database 194. Theuser exercises are compared with the training plan and the differencesmay be handled in the following ways.

If there is a minimal difference (step 886) (e.g., there is littledifference between the training plan and the exercises as performed bythe user), the user may be receiving a continuing notification (step894) (e.g., the user is informed to continue exercising as they havebeen. If the user is performing better than the training plan (step888), then the training plan may manually or automatically be made moredemanding (step 896). If the user performance is below (e.g., notkeeping up with) the training plan (step 890), then the system mayautomatically and/or the trainer may intervene to determine the rootcause, and may modify the training plan to better suit the user needs(step 897). If the user is performing other exercises that are not onthe plan (step 892) (e.g., different weight and/or cardio exercises),the training plan may be dynamically and/or manually altered to includethese new exercises, and equivalent exercises that are on the trainingplan may be removed (step 898).

FIG. 3C is an example of an initial system setup 450 for a useraccording to one embodiment. On a user page of the system website, theuser creates his/her credentials, and provides demographic and otherfitness related information (step 452). The user then selects a fitnesscenter (step 454). The selected fitness center may be one open topublic, may be private or members only (colleges, professional teams,security forces etc.), and/or a fitness machine at home or anotherlocation. If this fitness center does not have the system (step 456) oris not in the system database, the user may request them to install it(step 458).

The next step may be to select a training plan (step 460) that iscreated by a trainer and is in the training plan database 180 (e.g.,FIG. 2A). The user has the option to not use a training plan (step 461),in this case the system will just track the exercises without providingany guidance on training. Then, a user selects a client device that theywant to use (step 462). If the user wants to have an enhanced userexperience, they may choose an active client device 468 and download asystem application (step 470) to their smart phone and/or wearabledevice. For a simpler user experience, the user may select a passiveclient device 464 and request a passive tag from their fitness center(step 466).

In another embodiment, the active client device 468 may not have theappropriate PAN connectivity 310 (e.g., FIG. 2D). The user may stillhave a rich user experience by downloading a system application to theirsmart phone or wearable while using a passive client 464 that they mayget from their fitness center.

FIG. 3D is an exemplary flowchart 480 of how a user may use thedisclosed system at a fitness center. In one embodiment, the user isnotified about their upcoming exercise session (step 482). At thefitness center, the user pairs (as described in FIG. 3E) their active orpassive client device with the EMS, mounted on the exercise machine(step 484).

Before the user starts the exercise, the EMS may inform the user aboutexercise machine settings (step 486) like seat height, leg length, etc.These settings depend on user anatomy 126 (e.g., FIG. 2A), which theuser may have provided as part of the initial setup and exercise machineproperties 168 (e.g., FIG. 2A) stored in the databases 118 (e.g., FIG.2A). If the user has an active client device, the same information mayalso be available on the active client device (step 486A). During theexercise, the EMS may also provide exercise details (step 488) likeweight to be lifted, duration, number of sets, and repetitions 190(e.g., FIG. 2A), based on the selected training plan stored in thetraining plan database 180. If the user has the active client device,the same information may also be available on the Active client device(step 488A). While the user is exercising, the EMS may monitor theprogress in real time and may provide feedback on lifting techniqueslike how fast or slow the weights should be lifted. The weight liftingmovements may be visually represented as a graph and compared with thetraining plan movement graphs 192 (e.g., FIG. 2A) and the user notifiedif their movements significantly differ from the selected training planstored in the training plan database 180 (e.g., FIG. 2A).

After the user completes the exercise and un-pairs their active orpassive client device from the EMS (step 490), the EMS provides asummary of the completed exercise and a next exercise based on theselected training plan (step 492). Based on accurate information aboutthe exercise, the muscles it used in this exercise, amount of weightlifted, weight lifting speed, number of sets and repetitions, and theuser anatomical and demographic information, the EMS may compute anddisplay the number of calories, maximum power, and/or energy spent whiledoing the exercise. This information may be sent to the cloud server 102(e.g., FIG. 1) for storage and/or update. If the active client is used,similar information may also be displayed on it (step 492A). The usercontinues this process until the whole exercise session is completed(step 494) and the exercise session is finished (step 496).

FIG. 3E shows a flowchart 500 of how the client device may pair with theEMS. The PAN 230 (e.g., FIG. 2B) component of the active client deviceor passive tag 250 (e.g., FIG. 2C) having a communication connection 251(e.g., a data/control bus) component of the passive client device may beused to connect with the PAN 310 (e.g., FIG. 2D) component of the activesensor link or the PAN 350 (e.g., FIG. 2E) component of the passive link(step 502).

The client device and the EMS may pair in several ways. Active pairing506A and passive pairing 506B are two embodiments that are considered.The decision to use either active or passive pairing (step 504) dependson the PAN technology on the client device, EMS, and/or the fitnesscenter. For active pairing, the user does some action, for examplebringing an NFC component on a client device close (e.g., around 1 inch)to the NFC component on the EMS. Passive pairing does not need a useraction and may use technologies like BLE proximity sensing and RFID topair the client device and EMS automatically when they are in proximity.Passive pairing 506B may lead to conflicts as one client device mayattempt to pair with more than one EMS, or two or more client devicesmay attempt to pair with one EMS. These conflicts may be resolved byasking user visual or audible questions which they might answer by voiceor touch.

While paired, the EMS is a proxy for the user client device and acts onits behalf (step 508). After the pairing, the client device transfersuser credentials to the EMS which the EMS sends to the cloud server 102(e.g., FIG. 1) and receives the user training plan. While the user isusing the exercise machine, the EMS collects all exercise relatedinformation on behalf of the user and shares it with the cloud server102 (e.g., FIG. 1) and the client device (step 514). When un-paired, theEMS may send all the exercise details like weights, number of sets,repetitions, lifting speed, range, energy, maximum power, and/orcalories spent etc. to the cloud server 102 (e.g., FIG. 1) and storethis data in the user exercise summary database 194 (e.g., FIG. 2A)(step 514). EMS may also share this information with the active clientdevice.

The un-pairing decision may be based on the user experience (step 510).In this disclosure, two embodiments are considered the active un-pairing512A or passive un-pairing 512B. Active un-pairing 512A needs useraction (e.g., bringing a NFC component of the client device close to aNFC component of the paired EMS). Passive un-pairing 512B happenswithout user action, for example, when the client device gets out of theEMS range or when the client device is paired with another EMS.

FIG. 4A shows an exemplary embodiment of an exemplary exercise machine601 having a Type-A, Active Sensor Link 602 comprising an EMS which maybe mounted on weight exercise machines, resistance exercise machines(e.g., Bowflex), resistance bands etc. The Type-A Active sensor link 602may be connected to the cable 600 that connects to the handles that theuser pushes and/or pulls to lift the weights 606. The other end of theType-A Active sensor link 602 is connected to a slotted rod 604 thatcarries the weights 606 and a pin 608, which is used to select thedesired number of weights 606.

To measure the weight and/or cable tension, the Type-A Active sensorlink 602 may have a load cell type weight sensor and/or tension meter tomeasure the weight lifted and the accelerometer and/or the gyroscopesensors to measure the motion from which information like number ofsets, repetitions, and energy used may be derived.

FIG. 4B shows an exemplary embodiment of an exercise machine 611 havinga Type-B Active Sensor Link assembly comprising an EMS connected thereonthat may have two parts: a weight sensor pin 618 and an electronics box616. The Type-B Active Sensor Link assembly (616, 618) may be mounted ona weight exercise machine. The weight sensor pin 618 is inserted in aslotted rod 612 to carry weights 614 that are pulled by a cable 610 thatis attached to the handles that the user pushes and/or pulls to lift theweights 614.

During the exercise, the weights are supported by the weight sensor pin618. The weight sensor pin 618 may use a capacitive, piezoelectricand/or strain gauge, etc. based sensor. An active sensor link computer260, a LAN 300, a PAN 310, and other sensors like the accelerometer 282and the gyroscope 284 may be housed in the electronics box 616, whichmay be mounted on the weight sensor pin 618. To change the weights, theuser holds the electronics box 616 and pulls out the attached weightsensor pin 618 and places it at the desired number of weights 614. Theweight sensor, along with the accelerometer and/or the gyroscope sensorsmeasure the motion from which information like number of sets,repetitions, and energy used may be derived.

FIG. 4B-i illustrates the top cross-sectional view of the exercisemachine 611 having the weight sensor pin 618 inserted into the slottedrod 612 and weights 614. The weights 614 are supported by the weightsensor pin 618.

FIG. 4B-ii depicts a cross-sectional view of the pin 618. In thisexemplary embodiment, the forces applied by the weights cause bendingstrain. In one embodiment, the weight sensor pin 618 has pin relieffeatures 617, which concentrate the weight and support forces onpredefined and fixed areas. In another embodiment, these one or morerelief features 617 may be removed or others added. In one embodiment,two strain gauges 619 are disposed in the pin 618, which can be used tomeasure strain using the half-Wheatstone bridge. In another embodiment,quarter, or full Wheatstone bridge configurations may be used. A crosssectional view of the strain gauge 619 is shown across line A-A.

In another embodiment of the weight sensor pin 618, the forces appliedmay be in shear. In one embodiment, the pin relief features 617 may notbe present. In one embodiment, two strain gauges 619 in a cross patternmay be used in a half Wheatstone bridge configuration. In anotherembodiment, pin relief features 617 may be present and strain gauge 619may be in quarter, or full Wheatstone bridge configuration.

FIG. 4B-iii illustrates a cross-sectional view of the weight sensor pin618 with strain gauges under a typical loading scenario. The top straingauge is oriented at an angle Θ from the horizontal. Due to thisorientation the bending force applied on this strain gauge is F cos Θ,thereby resulting a smaller measured weight reading. To compensate forthis, an accelerometer sensor may be used to measure acceleration due togravity as g1 in this orientation as compared to the normal value g whenthe angle is 0. The angle Θ is then given by cos Θ=g1/g.

FIG. 4C shows an exemplary embodiment of an exercise machine 621 havinga Type-C Active Sensor Link comprising an EMS connected thereon. It mayhave three parts: a weight sensor pin 622, a rotation measurement sensorpulley 626, and an electronics box 624. Type-C Active sensor linkassembly (622, 624, 626) may be mounted on a weight exercise machine,resistance exercise machine, etc. The pulley assembly in this activesensor link is supported by a bracket 620 that is attached to theexercise machine. As a cable 628 goes over the pulley, on one end it isattached to the handle that the user pushes and/or pulls to lift theweights 632. The other end of the cable 628 is attached to the weights632 that are supported by the pin 634 that the user inserts into theslotted rod 630.

To measure the lifted weight, the weight sensor pin 622 may use sensorslike strain gauge, piezoelectric and/or compression load pin, etc. Theactive sensor link computer 260, LAN 300, and PAN 310 (e.g., FIG. 2D)may be housed in the electronics box 624. The sensor pulley 626 may havea rotation measurement sensor like a rotary encoder, an optical encoder,and/or a Hall Effect-based sensor, etc. These sensors are used tomeasure rotation and weight from which the number of sets, repetitions,and/or energy used can be derived.

FIG. 4D shows an exemplary embodiment of an exercise equipment setup 641of a barbell having a Type-D Active Sensor Link. It may have two parts:the support sensor 650, which is used to measure the weight, and asensor collar 648, which may have accelerometer and/or gyroscope sensorsto measure motion. The Type-D Active Sensor Link assembly 648, 650 maybe mounted on barbells 642 that are used for bench press and/or squattype exercises and/or be mounted on chest press and/or leg pressmachines that use weight plates. The collar 640 used to hold the weightplates 646 are fixed to the barbell 642, which carries the desirednumber of weight plates 646. The barbell assembly sits on the supportpillars 644.

Measuring the lifted weight may use a capacitive, piezoelectric, and/orstrain gauge, etc. sensor 650 built into the support 644. The weight ismeasured when the user is resting before and/or after the exercise. Thesupport sensor 650 may be on one or both sides of the support 644. Theaccelerometer, gyroscope, and other motion sensors, may be mounted onthe barbell in the sensor collar 648. In one embodiment, the supportsensor 650 may also have the other components of the active sensor linkincluding the computer 260, LAN 300, and/or PAN 310 (e.g., FIG. 2D). Inanother embodiment, the computer 260, LAN 300, and/or PAN 310 (e.g.,FIG. 2D) may be in the sensor collar 648. The sensors (648, 650) may usethe LAN 300 and/or PAN 310 to communicate with another sensor, theclient device, and/or the cloud.

The support sensor 650 measures the weight of the barbell 642 and weightplates 646 stacked by the user and the sensor collar 648 measures themovement of the barbell 642. To get the complete exercise information,these two pieces of data are combined.

In one exemplary embodiment, both the support sensor 650 and sensorcollar 648 individually report the data to a paired client device 104 aand cloud server 102 (e.g., FIG. 1). In this case the user has to pairtheir client device 104 a (e.g., FIG. 1) both to the sensor collar 648and the support sensor 650.

In another embodiment, the data from one sensor is sent to the othercoupled sensor and then reported comprehensively to the paired clientdevice and cloud server. This coupling allows both these sensors to actlike a single unit and the user has to pair their client device 104 onlyto one of the sensors (648, 650).

At a fitness center, there might be a plurality of barbell supports 644and attached support sensors 650 and a plurality of barbells 642 andattached collar sensor 648. Thus, a barbell 642 and attached sensorcollar 648 may be moved to another support 644 and attached supportsensor 650. For comprehensive reporting to work correctly, the data fromthe sensor collar 648 should be sent to the coupled support sensor 650on which the barbell 642 is resting.

In one exemplary embodiment, this coupling may be permanent, so only onesensor collar 648 may pair with one predefined sensor support 650. Inanother embodiment, the support sensor 650 and collar sensor 648coupling may be temporary and based on proximity.

In yet another embodiment, the support sensor 650 and collar sensor 648coupling may be based on the event when the barbell 642 is lifted fromthe support 644. At this event, collar sensor 648 may start reportingmotion and the support sensor 650 may start reporting zero weight. Itcan be inferred that the particular collar sensor 648 and the particularsupport sensor 650 are coupled when both of them report the liftingevent at about the same time.

The accelerometer, gyroscope and/or weight sensors may be to measure themotion and/or weight from which information like number of sets,repetitions, and calories burned can be derived.

FIG. 4E shows and exemplary embodiment of an exercise equipment setup661 having a Type-E Active sensor link. This sensor may be mounted on adumbbell, fixed barbell, etc. type free weights 660 where the weightcannot be altered. This active sensor link 662 may have computer 260,LAN 300, and PAN 310 (e.g., FIG. 2D) and sensors like the accelerometerand/or gyroscope. As the weight cannot be altered, there may not be aneed for a weight measuring sensor. The weight may be pre-configuredwhen the collar sensor 662 is attached to the dumbbell 660 or barbell.The accelerometer and/or gyroscope sensors may measure the motion of thedumbbell 660, and along with the weight information, the number of sets,repetitions, and calories burned may be derived. The sensors 662 may usethe measured motion to determine a type of exercise performed based onthe range of motion (e.g., distinguish between a bicep curl and a benchpress).

FIG. 4F-i shows an exemplary embodiment of an exercise equipment setup651 showing of one side of a barbell 642 with a collar 640 and sleeve652. One or more plates 646 may be loaded and at the end is anelectronics box 654, which houses the sensors, processor, and batteries.

FIG. 4F-ii shows the exercise equipment setup 651 cross-section of abarbell 642 with a collar 640 and a sleeve 652. In this embodiment, theforces applied cause bending strain. The sleeve 652 is put on barbell642 and, in one embodiment, relief features 655 are used to concentratethe weight of one or more plates 646 in pre-defined and fixed areas. Inanother embodiment, one or more of these relief features 655 may beremoved or others added. In one embodiment, two strain gauges 656 may beused to measure strain using the half-Wheatstone bridge. In anotherembodiment, quarter, or full Wheatstone bridge configurations may beused. A cross-sectional view of the strain gauge 656 is shown acrossline A-A.

In another exemplary embodiment of the barbell 642, the forces appliedmay be in shear. In one embodiment, the relief features 655 may not bepresent. In one embodiment, two strain gauges 656 in a cross pattern maybe used in a half Wheatstone bridge configuration. In anotherembodiment, relief features 655 may be present and strain gauges 656 maybe in quarter, or full Wheatstone bridge configuration. In a typicalusage scenario, the strain gauges 656 may not be horizontal and verticalorientation, as shown in FIG. 4B-iii, in which they are at an angle Θwith the horizontal. To compensate for this, an accelerometer sensor maybe used to measure the acceleration due to gravity as g1 in thisorientation as compared to the normal value g when the angle is 0. Theangle Θ is then given by cos Θ=g1/g

As more plates 646 are added, not only the weight increases, but themean center of mass moves to the right. This makes the strain to weightrelationship non-linear. Also, different weight plates 646 may havedifferent thicknesses and sizes. The strain gauges 656 may be calibratedby using different weight plates 646 and information stored in a look uptable.

FIG. 5A shows an example of output 700 (as dash line) from anacceleration sensor for the z-axis plotted against time. Theaccelerometer sensor is mounted such that the z-axis is pointing upwardswhich is along the weight movement direction. This data is generatedfrom a Type-A Active sensor link 602 (e.g., FIG. 4A).

During this exercise, the user completed one set and ten repetitions. Inthis plot, the repetitions show up as the ten troughs. In the beginningand the end, the weight was stationary and that is shown by a flatregion 704 of the acceleration plot. Since the sensor is very sensitive,the raw data is very noisy with a lot of overshoots and undershoots asexpected. Towards the end, the acceleration plot shows a ringing 706.This is due to the weights being lowered and brought to rest with a jerkmovement on top of other stationary weights.

To smoothen the data, a twenty-one tap median filter was applied to theraw acceleration data and the resulting output 702 is shown as a solidline. As expected, the median filter data removes a lot of overshoots,undershoots and ringing.

FIG. 5B shows an example of computed velocity plot 710 from anacceleration sensor for the z-axis plotted against time. Theaccelerometer sensor is mounted such that the z-axis is pointing upwardswhich is along the weight movement direction. This data is generatedfrom a Type-A Active sensor link 602 (e.g., FIG. 4A). By definition, thevelocity is area under the acceleration curve and is computed by takingthe cumulative sum of the acceleration values.

During this recorded exercise, the user completed one set and fiverepetitions. In this plot, the repetitions show up as the five troughs.As expected, the plot are much smoother than the acceleration plot butthe velocity plot shows both offset from zero and a drift pointing inthe negative direction. For an ideal sensor the velocity before startingthe exercise should be 0.0 and the plot should be flat 714. This type ofdrift is common in accelerometers as minor acceleration offset errorsadd up and show as drift in velocity computations.

In another embodiment, different high pass filers may be applied to theraw data. These filters are designed to remove the constant drift.Velocity is computed as area under the filtered acceleration curve bytaking the cumulative sum of the filtered acceleration values.

For accurate calculations, this velocity drift has to be compensated,and drift compensated velocity plot 712 has zero velocity before andafter the exercise. In one embodiment, this compensation is done in thefollowing steps disclosed herein.

Find the time interval before starting the exercise or between the setswhen the weight is not moving. Next, approximate the velocity plotduring this time interval by a straight line using a least squares fitalgorithm. In another embodiment, other line or higher order curvefitting algorithms may be used. The next step is to subtract this fittedstraight line from the velocity plot for the duration prior to, andduring, the exercise set. This algorithm may be applied to all setsduring the exercise.

FIG. 5C shows an example of a compensated velocity plot 720 from theacceleration sensor for the z-axis plotted against time. Theaccelerometer sensor is mounted such that the z-axis is pointing upwardswhich is along the weight movement direction. This data is generatedfrom a Type-A Active sensor link 602 (e.g., FIG. 4A). During thisexercise, the user completed one set and five repetitions. In this plot,the repetitions show up as the five troughs.

In one embodiment, the zero band point calculation algorithm 730 ispresented. Some of the zero band points are shown. This algorithm isused to calculate various quantities of interest like number of sets,repetitions etc. and to compensate the velocity plot. To eliminatenoise, a band around zero velocity is established. This may be based ona percentage of the difference between maximum and minimum velocityvalue.

If the compensated velocity is outside the Zero tolerance band 722 for aduration longer than a tolerance value based on the minimum time takenfor a repetition, it is considered that the user completed half arepetition. This repetition tolerance may be empirically found and itmay be different for each exercise machine or exercise. The weightlifting time for a repetition is the time when the velocity is negative727 and the weight dropping time for a repetition is the time when thevelocity is positive 728. The velocity crosses between negative 727 andpositive 727 at points 726.

If the velocity is within the Zero tolerance band 724 for a durationlonger then a tolerance value based on the minimum resting time betweensets, it is considered that the user is resting before starting a newset. This set tolerance may be empirically found and may be differentfor each exercise machine or exercise.

FIG. 5D presents an exemplary embodiment of the Zero band pointcalculation algorithm 730. Start from the first compensated velocityplot value and save this value (step 732). Since the exercise machinestarts from rest, this value will be within the zero tolerance band. Inanother embodiment, acceleration or displacement may be used. If thenext points are within Zero tolerance band (step 734), ignore them, andsave the point that is outside the Zero tolerance (step 736). Ignore thenext points that are outside the Zero tolerance while the time durationis less than repetition tolerance (step 738), and save the point thatdoes not meet this criterion (step 740). If there are more points left(step 742), check if the next point is within zero tolerance (step 734).The algorithm completes when no more points are left (step 744).

FIG. 5E shows an example of the compensated displacement plot 752 fromthe acceleration sensor for the z-axis plotted against time. Theaccelerometer sensor is mounted such that the z-axis is pointing upwardswhich is along the weight movement direction. This data is generatedfrom a Type-A Active sensor link 602 (e.g., FIG. 4A). The displacementis area under the velocity curve and is computed by taking thecumulative sum of the velocity values.

In another embodiment, filtered acceleration values may be used tocompute velocity. Compensation may then be applied and the velocity isfiltered to further remove drift. To compute displacement, this filteredand compensated velocity curve 750 may be used and the area under thecurve is computed. Drift may further be removed by applying thecompensation algorithm.

Applying filter and compensation algorithms introduces delays incomputing due to the nature of these operations. So, in one embodiment,the real time reporting of weight lifted, number of sets, repetitions,lifting speed etc. is done using just the acceleration data. Otherinformation like range, energy, maximum power, and/or calorieinformation may be computed using filters and compensation algorithmsand may be sent later.

During this exercise, the user completed one set and five repetitions.In this plot, the repetitions show up as the five troughs. As expected,the displacement plot 752 is much smoother than the velocity plot 750,but the displacement plot also shows a drift. This drift is compensatedusing the same algorithm that was used to compensate velocity plotdrift.

Using the displacement plot, the range 754 can be computed. This is thedistance that the weight is moved by the user. It may be one of theparameters 190 (e.g., FIG. 2A) used in the training plan.

FIG. 5F shows an example of the compensated velocity plot 760 from theacceleration sensor for the z-axis plotted against time. Theaccelerometer sensor is mounted such that the z-axis is pointing upwardswhich is along the weight movement direction. This data is generatedfrom a Type-A Active sensor link 602 (e.g., FIG. 4A).

During this exercise, the user completed one set and ten repetitions.This plot may be recorded by the trainer and used as the movement graph192 (e.g., FIG. 2A), which is part of the training plan.

FIG. 5G shows an example of an acceleration plot 770 from theacceleration sensor for the X-axis plotted against time. This data isgenerated from the Type-A Active sensor link 602 (e.g., FIG. 4A) mountedon a dumbbell.

During this exercise, the user completed one set and twelve repetitions,which corresponds to the number of troughs in the acceleration plot.Since the resting position of a dumbbell may not be fixed, theacceleration may not be zero at any time.

In one embodiment, the algorithms developed for weight machine can alsobe applied to free weights like dumbbell to compute the number of sets,repetitions, lifting and dropping time and range.

FIG. 5H shows an example of an angular momentum plot 776 from thegyroscope sensor for the Y-axis plotted against time. This data isgenerated from the Type-A Active sensor link 602 (e.g., FIG. 4A) mountedon a dumbbell.

During this exercise, the user completed one set and twelve repetitions,which corresponds to the number of troughs in the angular momentum plot.Even though the resting position of a dumbbell is not fixed, the angularmomentum does go to zero when the movement stops.

In another embodiment, the algorithms developed for weight machine canalso be applied to free weights like dumbbell to compute the number ofsets, repetitions, lifting and dropping time and range.

Note that references throughout this specification to “an aspect” or“one aspect” mean that a particular feature, structure or characteristicdescribed in connection with the aspect is included in at least oneaspect of the present invention. Therefore, it is emphasized and shouldbe appreciated that two or more references to “an aspect” or “oneaspect” or “an alternative aspect” in various portions of thisspecification are not necessarily all referring to the same aspect.Furthermore, the particular features, structures or characteristicsbeing referred to may be combined as suitable in one or more aspects ofthe invention, as will be recognized by those of ordinary skill in theart.

While the present disclosure is described above with respect to what iscurrently considered its preferred aspects, it is to be understood thatthe disclosure is not limited to that described above. To the contrary,the disclosure is intended to cover various modifications and equivalentarrangements within the spirit and scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A machine implemented method, comprising:determining, by an exercise management system (EMS) having a processorand one or more sensors, a weight lifted on an exercise equipmentdisposed in a fitness center based on a measured strain of one or moreweight sensors of the one or more sensors, wherein at least one of theone or more weight sensors comprise a strain gauge; and determining, bythe EMS processor, a movement of the weight lifted on the exerciseequipment disposed in the fitness center based on a measured motion ofone or more motion sensors of the one or more sensors; wherein a weightsensor of the one or more weight sensors is disposed in a barbell; and amotion sensor of the one or more motion sensors is mounted on a sleeveof the barbell, and wherein the weight sensor compensates for anorientation of the barbell with respect to ground.
 2. The machineimplemented method of claim 1 further comprising: determining, by theEMS processor based on the determined weight and the determined movementof the weight, at least one of: a number of sets, a number ofrepetitions, a lifting speed, a range of motion of the weight, anenergy, a maximum power, and a total calories spent.
 3. The machineimplemented method of claim 2 further comprising: forming a userexercise data based on the determined at least one of: the number ofsets, the number of repetitions, the lifting speed, the range of motionof the weight, the energy, the maximum power, and the total caloriesspent; and transmitting the formed user exercise data to a cloud server.4. The machine implemented method of claim 1 wherein the EMS processoris mounted on the exercise equipment and further measures usagepatterns, wherein a club management module provides said usage patternsto a fitness center operator for determining one or more of:preventative maintenance based on equipment use time and efficiencychanges, usage time slot scheduling and exercise equipment usefrequency.
 5. The machine implemented method of claim 1 wherein: anexercise equipment information based on the exercise equipment comprisesone or more of: exercise equipment settings, an exercise technique forthe exercise equipment, a weight to be lifted, a duration, a number ofrepetitions, and a number of sets; and a user device in communicationwith the EMS processor comprises one or more of: a smart phone having aprocessor, and a radio-frequency identification (RFID) tag.
 6. Themachine implemented method of claim 1 wherein at least one of the one ormore weight sensors comprise a strain gauge.
 7. The machine implementedmethod of claim 6 further comprising: one or more relief features,wherein the one or more relief features concentrate a weight in at leastone predefined and fixed area relative to the one or more weightsensors.
 8. The machine implemented method of claim 1 furthercomprising: coupling, by the EMS processor, the determined weight liftedand the determined motion of the weight lifted based on matching atiming of lifting events.
 9. The machine implemented method of claim 1wherein at least one weight sensor of the one or more weight sensors isdisposed in a weight pin, wherein the weight sensor measures a weightlifted, and wherein at least one motion sensors of the one or moremotion sensors is mounted on the weight pin, wherein the one or moremotion sensors measure a movement of the weight lifted, and wherein theweight pin compensates for an orientation of the weight pin with respectto ground.
 10. A system comprising: an Exercise Management System (EMS)comprising: one or more weight sensors, wherein at least one of the oneor more weight sensors comprise a strain gauge; one or more relieffeatures, wherein the one or more relief features concentrate a weightin at least one predefined and fixed area relative to the one or moreweight sensors; one or more motion sensors; and a processor havingmemory, the processor configured to: determine a weight lifted based ona measured strain on the one or more weight sensors; determine amovement of the weight lifted based on a measured motion of the one ormore motion sensors; and determine, based on the determined weight andthe determined movement of the weight, at least one of: a number ofsets, a number of repetitions, a lifting speed, a range of motion of theweight, an energy, a maximum power, and a total calories spent; whereinthe one or more sensors further comprise: a weight sensor of the one ormore sensors disposed in a weight pin of the exercise equipment, whereinthe weight sensor measures a weight lifted, wherein the weight pinfurther comprises one or more pin relief features, wherein the one ormore pin relief features concentrates the weight and support forces onone or more predefined and fixed areas of the weight pin, and whereinthe one or more pin relief features comprise two pin relief featuresdisposed about each of the one or more weight sensors; and a rotationsensor of the one or more sensors disposed about the weight pin, whereinthe rotation sensor measures the movement of a cable of the exerciseequipment about a rotatable pulley.
 11. The system of claim 10 wherein:separate weight and motion sensors are coupled based on matching atiming of lifting events.
 12. The system of claim 10 wherein the EMSprocessor is further configured to: form a user exercise data based onthe determined at least one of: the number of sets, the number ofrepetitions, the lifting speed, the range of motion of the weight, theenergy, the maximum power, and the total calories spent; and transmitthe formed user exercise data to a cloud server.
 13. The system of claim10 wherein: the one or more weight sensors further comprise a tensionmeter of the one or more weight sensors disposed on a cable, wherein thetension meter measures the weight lifted; and at least one of the one ormore motion sensors is disposed on the cable.
 14. The system of claim 10wherein: the one or more motion sensors comprise an accelerometer and agyroscope.
 15. The system of claim 10 comprising separate weight andmotion sensors, wherein the one or more weight sensors can be mounted ona support and the one or more-a motion sensors can be mounted on thesupport, such that the one or more weight sensors may be used by itselfor with the one or more motion sensors to record partial or full datafor one or more of: sets, repetitions and weight.
 16. The system ofclaim 10 wherein the one or more relief features are disposed on abarbell.
 17. The system of claim 10 wherein at least one motion sensorof the one or more motion sensors is mounted on the weight pin, whereinthe one or more motion sensors measure a movement of the weight lifted,and wherein the weight pin compensates for an orientation of the weightpin with respect to ground.
 18. The system of claim 17 wherein: the oneor more motion sensors comprise an accelerometer and a gyroscope. 19.The system of claim 17 wherein the weight sensor comprises one or moreof: a load cell type weight sensor and a tension meter.
 20. The systemof claim 10 wherein the weight sensor comprises one or more of: a loadcell type weight sensor and a tension meter.
 21. The system of claim 10wherein the weight sensor communicates with the one or more motionsensors.
 22. The system of claim 21 wherein the one or more motionsensors comprise an accelerometer and a gyroscope.
 23. The system ofclaim 21 wherein the one or more weight sensors comprises one or moreof: a load cell type weight sensor and a tension meter.
 24. The systemof claim 10 wherein the EMS processor is further configured to:determine a type of exercise performed based on the determined range ofmotion of the weight.
 25. The system of claim 10 wherein a weight sensorof the one or more weight sensors is disposed in a barbell; and a motionsensor of the one or more motion sensors is mounted on a sleeve of thebarbell, and wherein the weight sensor compensates for an orientation ofthe barbell with respect to ground.
 26. The system of claim 25 whereinthe one or more motion sensors comprise an accelerometer and agyroscope.
 27. The system of claim 25 wherein the one or more weightsensors comprises one or more of: a load cell type weight sensor and atension meter.